Voting for the 2026 World Cup is still several years away, and Sunil Gulati says that U.S. Soccer remains unsure of how, and if, the federation will present themselves as potential hosts.
According to a recent ESPN report, John Motta, a U.S. Soccer board member, says the federation has been considering a joint bid with Mexico for the 2026 tournament, which will see the host nation determined in May 2020. According to the report, if a joint deal with Mexico could not be reached, the U.S. would submit a solo bid in an attempt to bring the world’s biggest tournament stateside for the first time since 1994.
However, Gulati says that the federation has yet to make a decision regarding the bidding process, and if they will participate at all in the buildup to the tournament.
“We haven’t made a decision about the [2026] World Cup,” Gulati told the LA Times. “Until we know what the rules are of the bid process — which won’t be until October at the earliest — we’re not going to be making a decision. And we certainly haven’t had any formal discussions with the Mexican federation at this point.”
The 1994 tournament, hosted across the U.S., remains the most attended to date, with a total of 3.6 million fans and an average of nearly 69,000 for the 52 matches. Gulati says he believes that record will not be matched until the U.S. is awarded hosting duties once again.
Heading into the 2026 process, the U.S. remains among the favorites to host. Before focusing on upcoming World Cups, the U.S. will serve as host for the upcoming Copa America, which will be held between June 3-26 across 10 American cities.
What do you think of Gulati’s comments? Expect the U.S. to bid? What would you expect from a co-hosted World Cup between the U.S. and Mexico?
Share your thoughts below.
This is just Mexico throwing a bone our way knowing there’s no way anybody will vote for us for getting the DOJ involved after losing to Russia and Qatar.
Muchas gracias amigos.
Only a few stadiums in Mexico that would qualify Azteca, Monterrey’s and either Chivas’s or Atlas’s in Guadalajara. You could certainly keep groups in Southern US and Mexico but wouldn’t have to have the whole thing there.
I think this is really Mexico’s idea because its the only way they can afford it or would be awarded it.
I think it should be a regionally held World Cup. Let the whole world know what it’s like to be CONCACAF’d.
Pick all of the best stadiums from the region: The Office, Azteca, T&T’s polo grounds. We could even do another winter world cup while we’re at it.
Hate the idea of a joint bid. I want it all here or all there. Preferably here so Mexico doesn’t get that advantage.
Whats the advantage?
Don’t have to qualify. Home fans. Familiarity with stadia.
Outside of the automatic qualification for the home nation, a United States hosted World Cup might as well be a Mexico hosted World Cup.
This is truly the perfect Caption This pic. I’ll start:
Gulati discusses lifelong battle with IBS
Should this gain momentum I’m really interested to hear the venues and travel dynamics involved. I’ve haven’t read one way or the other, but would this rumored bid be exclusive to southern states in an effort to avoid travel fatigue when commuting between the two countries?
I don’t know – cutting off nearly 3/4’s of the country doesn’t sound very appealing or beneficial from an American perspective for the bid.
I was thinking California, Arizona, Texas for US location and northern cities for Mexico as the most reasonable. I can’t see how Mexico could do it without Mexico City included, but it is very far south and could make travel difficult.